INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — In celebration of WISH-TV’s 70th Anniversary, we are highlighting the origins of the White River State Park.

On June 11, 1988, WISH-TV covered the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newest incarnation of the Indianapolis Zoo. The zoo was the first step in developing Indianapolis’ newest downtown destination, the White River State Park, which had been in the works for about a decade prior.
Meanwhile, the rest of the area, especially on the side closer to downtown, saw a repeated change of plans.

Knotts Berry Farm was interested in selling “good family fun.” At the same time, the White Park Commission wanted a major money-making developer who could help pull the entire 200+ acres together for the first time since the project was suggested in the mid-70s.

Knotts Berry Farm conceptualized a grandiose plan, including a Crystal Bridge that would house a botanical garden and function as a gathering space between the Family Entertainment Center and Future park. Plans also included a new skyline.

The original Indianapolis Zoo opened its doors in 1964 near 30th and Keystone. It later moved to its current location in 1988.

The other side of the river went through many plan changes since the late 70s before taking its present shape, including courting an amusement park. However, in 1992, just as the present plan was coalescing, two planes collided over a Southport neighborhood, one holding four city leaders flying to Columbus, Ohio, to compare park plans. All four died, along with the two pilots.

However, they could not get the financing to complete these plans, and it took years for progress on the park to gain momentum until an unexpected tragedy occurred on Sept. 11, 1992.

A jet fell out of the sky, crashing to the ground after colliding with another airplane over Southport. Six were killed, while two others survived, though badly injured. No one on the ground was harmed, despite the wreckage landing in the neighborhood.

Former Deputy Mayor Michael Carroll, Banking Executive and Olympian Frank McKinney, Lotto Director Joh Weliever and White River State Park Commission Executive Director Robert Welch, along with the pilots of both planes, were all killed.

The group had been studying different parks as a reference for the proposed White River State Park project.

Though the tragedy resulted in the loss of many of the initial plans for the White River State Park, the commission kept on, and the State Museum and the NCAA Headquarters were built. Later, the IMAX opened along with an amphitheater, and a memorial to the fallen was installed on the banks of the White River.

Web Extras

The Indianapolis Zoo first opened its doors in1988. Following the zoo’s opening, WISH-TV’s Mark Voigtmasnn spoke with an Indianapolis photographer about how to capture the best animal photos. The package aired on June 8, 1988.

WISH-TV’s Athel Micka covers the history of the Indianapolis zoo shortly after the new zoo opened in 1988. The news package includes old film footage of the first zoo.